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Installations
Andalay Solar Power
Financing & Incentives

Operation & Maintenance

Customer Care

Akeena Solar is here to help you take maximum advantage of your solar system. Should you experience any issues or have any questions whatsoever regarding the use or operation of your solar power system, please contact our Customer Care department at customercare@akeena.com or 888-253-3628.

If you installed your Akeena Solar system with a SunRun service agreement, you can request service from SunRun directly at 877-786-6656.

Reading Your Time of Use Meter

  • Arrow: When the arrow points to the left, you are making more electricity than you are using and the meter is going backwards. When the arrow points to the right, you are consuming power.
  • “A” means the meter is counting at the peak period (peak is M-F noon to 6 pm). “C” means the meter is counting at off-peak time.
  • The meter is usually installed with both counters set at 50,000.
  • What the meter codes mean:
    • 01 indicates the date (mmddyy)
    • 02 indicates the time (military)
    • 04 indicates total net usage in KWH
    • 05 indicates total peak usage in KWH
    • 99 indicates the present rate of net electrical use or generation (depending on arrow direction)

Taking Care of Your Solar Power System

Solar Power Module Care

  • Solar power modules used by Akeena are guaranteed for 25 years. The only maintenance they require is a semi-annual washing, especially if you are in a dusty location. For regular dust accumulations, you can simply hose the modules off. If there are significant accumulations of tree sap or other residue, cleaning with a sponge or squeegee using a mild soap and water solution may be required. Extreme caution should always be taken when on the roof. Consider hiring a professional service to perform regular cleaning.
  • You should keep leaves, branches and other debris off the top of the modules, and prevent debris from accumulating under the modules. This accumulation could reduce cooling airflow under the modules, and could cause water to back up in a severe rainstorm.
  • Although the tempered glass surface of the modules is quite durable, they will break if you walk on them. Any crack in a tempered glass solar energy module usually requires replacement of the entire module.

Inverter Care

  • The best thing you can do for your inverter is to keep it cool and clean. Don’t let plants or debris accumulate around the inverter. Brush debris out of the heat sink or fan screen annually.
  • If direct sun hits the inverter heat sink on a hot day it may cause the inverter to derate (operate at less than its maximum power) slightly. Note that by designing the system so that the inverter derates slightly on a few hot days, we are able to collect more energy during the rest of the year.
  • Installing a sunshade sometimes reduces this derating, although one must be careful not to restrict airflow around the inverter.
  • As long as the green light is illuminated during the day and you are getting approximately the output indicated on our original commissioning, the system is operating properly.

Utility Provider

  • Local utilities are quite cooperative in helping our customers get authorization to run their solar energy system. In case of accidental double-billing or the new meter was not properly calibrated to operate backwards, please contact your utility provider.
  • It is important that you check your utility bills regularly once you go solar and contact your utility company if you see any discrepancies.

If you go solar with Akeena, we will manage all of the necessary paperwork with the CEC and your local utility to reserve and claim your rebate. To find out about the rebates and incentives for which you qualify, please contact us at (888) 253-3628 or schedule a free Solar Evaluation.